CN114435133B

CN114435133B - System and method for fastening and positioning a component relative to another component

Info

Publication number: CN114435133B
Application number: CN202110516058.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·J·龙戈; D·L·阿诺
Original assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Current assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date: 2020-10-30
Filing date: 2021-05-12
Publication date: 2024-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2041-05-12
Also published as: US11808296B2; DE102021113934A1; US20220136539A1; CN114435133A

Abstract

Systems and methods for fastening and positioning a component relative to another component are disclosed. A system includes a first vehicle component and a second vehicle component. The first vehicle component includes a first panel, a T-shaped projection projecting from a mating surface of the first panel, and a locking projection projecting from the mating surface of the first panel. The second vehicle component includes a second panel and a pair of angled ribs protruding from a non-mating surface of the second panel. The second panel defines a slot extending through a non-mating surface thereof. The slot includes a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width that is less than the first width. The angled ribs are disposed on opposite sides of the second portion of the slot. The first vehicle component is configured to be secured to and positioned relative to the second vehicle component.

Description

System and method for fastening and positioning a component relative to another component

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for fastening and positioning one vehicle component relative to another vehicle component without the use of mechanical fasteners.

Background

The information provided in this section is for purposes of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, nuts or rivets, are commonly used to secure vehicle interior trim panels to a vehicle body structure or to each other. In some cases, it may be desirable to disassemble the vehicle interior trim panel after the vehicle is assembled. For example, a maintenance panel for a fuse box may need to be removed to replace the fuse. In these cases, specialized tools for removing the mechanical fasteners are often required to disassemble the vehicle interior trim panels from the vehicle body structure or to disassemble them from each other. Specialized tools increase the cost of maintaining the vehicle and removing fasteners increases the amount of time required to maintain the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

Examples of systems according to the present disclosure include a first vehicle component and a second vehicle component. The first vehicle component includes a first panel, a T-shaped projection projecting from a mating surface of the first panel, and a locking projection projecting from the mating surface of the first panel. The second vehicle component includes a second panel and a pair of angled ribs protruding from a non-mating surface of the second panel. The second panel defines a slot extending through a non-mating surface thereof. The slot includes a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width that is less than the first width. The angled ribs are disposed on opposite sides of the second portion of the slot. The first vehicle component is configured to be secured to and positioned relative to the second vehicle component by positioning the first vehicle component to: (i) Inserting the T-shaped tab on the first panel through the first portion of the slot in the second panel in the first direction, and (ii) moving the T-shaped tab on the first panel from the first portion of the slot in the second panel to the second portion of the slot in the second direction and along the angled rib on the second panel until the locking tab on the first panel is positioned in the first portion of the slot.

In one aspect, when the T-shaped projection and the locking projection on the first panel are positioned in the slot in the second panel, the mating surface of the second panel engages the mating surface of the first panel and the angled rib on the second panel engages the T-shaped projection on the first panel to secure the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component in the first direction.

In one aspect, the first and second portions of the slot in the second panel are disposed adjacent the first and second longitudinal ends of the slot, respectively, the T-shaped protrusion on the first panel has an underside surface that engages the top surface of the angled rib on the second panel and is adjacent the second longitudinal end of the slot, and the distance between the underside surface of the T-shaped protrusion and the mating surface of the first panel is approximately equal to the distance between the top surface of the angled rib and the mating surface of the second panel.

In one aspect, when the T-shaped tab and the locking tab on the first panel are positioned in the slot in the second panel, the locking tab engages a first longitudinal end of the slot and the T-shaped tab engages a second longitudinal end of the slot, thereby securing the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component in the second direction.

In one aspect, the locking tab on the first panel has a first surface that engages the first longitudinal end of the slot in the second panel and the T-shaped tab on the first panel has a second surface that engages the first longitudinal end of the slot in the second panel, and the distance between the first surface and the second surface is approximately equal to the distance between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end.

In one aspect, the T-shaped projection on the first panel includes a bar projecting from the mating surface of the first panel and a rail oriented perpendicular to the bar, wherein the bar engages a midpoint of the rail along its length.

In one aspect, the cross bar of the T-shaped protrusion has a length that is less than a first width of the first portion of the slot in the second panel and greater than a second width of the second portion of the slot in the second panel.

In one aspect, the locking tab on the first panel includes at least one angled surface and a planar surface, the at least one angled surface of the locking tab engaging the mating surface of the second panel when the T-shaped tab on the first panel is inserted through the first portion of the slot in the second panel, and the planar surface of the locking tab engaging the longitudinal end of the slot in the second panel when the locking tab is positioned in the first portion of the slot.

In one aspect, the first panel flexes away from the second panel when the locking tab of the first panel engages the mating surface of the second panel, and the first panel snaps the locking tab into the slot in the second panel when the locking tab is aligned with the slot.

In one aspect, the first vehicle component and the second vehicle component are vehicle trim components.

In one aspect, the first vehicle component is a maintenance panel for a fuse box of a vehicle, and the second vehicle component is a glove box frame of the vehicle.

In one aspect, the slot has a T-shape, wherein a first portion of the slot forms a T-shaped cross member and a second portion of the slot forms a T-shaped bar.

In one aspect, the first and second portions of the slot in the second panel are disposed adjacent the first and second longitudinal ends of the slot, respectively, and the angled rib on the second panel extends in the second direction from the first portion of the slot to the second longitudinal end of the slot.

In one aspect, the angled rib protrudes from the non-mating surface of the second panel by an increasing amount in the second direction.

In one aspect, the first direction is perpendicular to the non-mating surface of the second panel and the second direction is parallel to the length of the slot in the second panel.

Another example of a system according to the present disclosure includes a first vehicle component and a second vehicle component. The first vehicle component includes a first panel having a mating surface and a non-mating surface opposite the mating surface, a T-shaped projection projecting from the mating surface of the first panel, and a locking projection projecting from the mating surface of the first panel. The T-shaped protrusion includes a bar and a cross bar oriented perpendicular to the bar. The second vehicle component includes a second panel having a mating surface and a non-mating surface opposite the mating surface of the second panel, and a pair of angled ribs protruding from the non-mating surface of the second panel. The second panel defines a T-slot extending through the mating and non-mating surfaces of the second panel. The T-slot has a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end. The T-slot includes a first portion disposed adjacent a first longitudinal end thereof and a second portion disposed adjacent a second longitudinal end thereof. The first portion of the T-slot has a first width and the second portion of the T-slot has a second width that is less than the first width. The first vehicle component is configured to be secured to and positioned relative to the second vehicle component by positioning the first vehicle component to: (i) Inserting the T-shaped tab on the first panel through the first portion of the T-shaped slot in the second panel in the first direction, and (ii) moving the T-shaped tab on the first panel from the first portion of the T-shaped slot in the second panel to the second portion of the T-shaped slot in the second direction and along the angled rib on the second panel until the locking tab on the first panel is positioned in the first portion of the T-shaped slot.

In one aspect, when the T-shaped projection and locking projection on the first panel are positioned in the T-shaped slot in the second panel, the mating surface of the second panel engages the mating surface of the first panel and the angled rib on the second panel engages the T-shaped projection on the first panel to secure the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component in the first direction.

In one aspect, the T-shaped protrusion on the first panel has an underside surface that engages a top surface of the angled rib on the second panel, the angled rib protruding from the non-mating surface of the second panel an increasing amount in the second direction and adjacent the second longitudinal end of the T-shaped slot, a distance between the underside surface of the T-shaped protrusion and the mating surface of the first panel being approximately equal to a distance between the top surface of the angled rib and the mating surface of the second panel.

In one aspect, when the T-shape and the locking tab on the first panel are positioned in the T-slot in the second panel, the locking tab engages a first longitudinal end of the T-slot and the T-tab engages a second longitudinal end of the T-slot, thereby securing the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component in the second direction.

In one aspect, the locking tab on the first panel has a first surface that engages the first longitudinal end of the T-slot in the second panel and the T-tab on the first panel has a second surface that engages the first longitudinal end of the T-slot in the second panel, and the distance between the first surface and the second surface is approximately equal to the distance between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end.

The present disclosure may include the following aspects:

1. A system, comprising:

a first vehicle component including a first panel, a T-shaped projection projecting from a mating surface of the first panel, and a locking projection projecting from the mating surface of the first panel; and

A second vehicle component comprising a second panel and a pair of angled ribs protruding from a non-mating surface of the second panel, the second panel defining a slot extending through the non-mating surface thereof, the slot including a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width less than the first width, the angled ribs disposed on opposite sides of the second portion of the slot, wherein the first vehicle component is configured to be secured to the second vehicle component and positioned relative to the second vehicle component by positioning the first vehicle component:

inserting a T-shaped tab on a first panel in a first direction through a first portion of a slot in a second panel, and

The T-shaped tab on the first panel is moved in a second direction from a first portion of the slot in the second panel to a second portion of the slot and along the angled rib on the second panel until the locking tab on the first panel is positioned in the first portion of the slot.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein when the T-shaped tab and the locking tab on the first panel are positioned in the slot in the second panel, the mating surface of the second panel engages the mating surface of the first panel and the angled rib on the second panel engages the T-shaped tab on the first panel to secure the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component in the first direction.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

The first and second portions of the slot in the second panel are disposed adjacent the first and second longitudinal ends of the slot, respectively;

The T-shaped projection on the first panel has an underside surface that engages the top surface of the angled rib on the second panel; and

Adjacent the second longitudinal end of the slot, the distance between the underside surface of the T-shaped projection and the mating surface of the first panel is approximately equal to the distance between the top surface of the angled rib and the mating surface of the second panel.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein when the T-shaped tab and the locking tab on the first panel are positioned in the slot in the second panel, the locking tab engages a first longitudinal end of the slot and the T-shaped tab engages a second longitudinal end of the slot, thereby securing the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component in the second direction.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

The locking tab on the first panel has a first surface that engages the first longitudinal end of the slot in the second panel;

the T-shaped projection on the first panel has a second surface that engages the first longitudinal end of the slot in the second panel; and

The distance between the first surface and the second surface is approximately equal to the distance between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the T-shaped projection on the first panel comprises a bar projecting from the mating surface of the first panel and a rail oriented perpendicular to the bar, wherein the bar engages a midpoint of the rail along its length.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the cross bar of the T-shaped protrusion has a length;

The length of the cross bar is less than the first width of the first portion of the slot in the second panel; and

The length of the cross-bar is greater than the second width of the second portion of the slot in the second panel.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

The locking tab on the first panel includes at least one inclined surface and a planar surface;

When the T-shaped projection on the first panel is inserted through the first portion of the slot in the second panel, at least one angled surface of the locking projection engages a mating surface of the second panel; and

When the locking tab is positioned in the first portion of the slot, the planar surface of the locking tab engages the longitudinal end of the slot in the second panel.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first panel flexes away from the second panel when the locking tab of the first panel engages the mating surface of the second panel, and the first panel snaps the locking tab into the slot in the second panel when the locking tab is aligned with the slot.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first vehicle component and the second vehicle component are vehicle trim components.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first vehicle component is a maintenance panel for a fuse box of the vehicle and the second vehicle component is a glove box frame of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the slot has a T-shape, wherein a first portion of the slot forms a T-shaped cross member and a second portion of the slot forms a T-shaped bar.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein:

The first and second portions of the slot in the second panel are disposed adjacent the first and second longitudinal ends of the slot, respectively; and

The angled rib on the second panel extends in a second direction from the first portion of the slot to the second longitudinal end of the slot.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the angled rib protrudes from the non-mating surface of the second panel by an increasing amount in the second direction.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein:

The first direction is perpendicular to the non-mating surface of the second panel; and

The second direction is parallel to the length of the slot in the second panel.

16. A system, comprising:

A first vehicle component comprising a first panel having a mating surface and a non-mating surface opposite the mating surface, a T-shaped protrusion protruding from the mating surface of the first panel, and a locking protrusion protruding from the mating surface of the first panel, the T-shaped protrusion comprising a bar and a cross bar oriented perpendicular to the bar; and

A second vehicle component comprising a second panel having a mating surface and a non-mating surface opposite the mating surface of the second panel, and a pair of angled ribs protruding from the non-mating surface of the second panel, the second panel defining a T-slot extending through the mating surface and the non-mating surface of the second panel, the T-slot having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end, the T-slot including a first portion disposed adjacent the first longitudinal end thereof and a second portion disposed adjacent the second longitudinal end thereof, the first portion of the T-slot having a first width, and the second portion of the T-slot having a second width that is less than the first width, wherein the first vehicle component is configured to be secured to and positioned relative to the second vehicle component by positioning the first vehicle component such that:

inserting a T-shaped tab on a first panel through a first portion of a T-shaped slot in a second panel in a first direction; and

The T-shaped tab on the first panel is moved in a second direction from a first portion of the T-shaped slot in the second panel to a second portion of the T-shaped slot and along the angled rib on the second panel until the locking tab on the first panel is positioned in the first portion of the T-shaped slot.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein when the T-shaped tab and the locking tab on the first panel are positioned in the T-shaped slot in the second panel, the mating surface of the second panel engages the mating surface of the first panel and the angled rib on the second panel engages the T-shaped tab on the first panel to secure the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component in the first direction.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein:

the T-shaped projection on the first panel has an underside surface that engages the top surface of the angled rib on the second panel;

The inclined rib protruding from the non-mating surface of the second panel by an increasing amount in the second direction; and

Adjacent the second longitudinal end of the T-slot, the distance between the underside surface of the T-shaped projection and the mating surface of the first panel is approximately equal to the distance between the top surface of the angled rib and the mating surface of the second panel.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein when the T-shaped tab and the locking tab on the first panel are positioned in the T-shaped slot in the second panel, the locking tab engages a first longitudinal end of the T-shaped slot and the T-shaped tab engages a second longitudinal end of the T-shaped slot, thereby securing the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component in the second direction.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein:

the locking tab on the first panel has a first surface that engages the first longitudinal end of the T-slot in the second panel;

The T-shaped projection on the first panel has a second surface that engages the first longitudinal end of the T-shaped slot in the second panel; and

Other areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an instrument panel of a vehicle including an example of a system for securing and positioning a fuse maintenance panel of the vehicle relative to a glove box frame of the vehicle according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the instrument panel of FIG. 1 showing the orientation of the fuse maintenance panel initially loaded onto the glove box frame during assembly;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the instrument panel of FIG. 1 showing an initial loading orientation of the fuse maintenance panel and a secondary loading orientation of the fuse maintenance panel during assembly;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the instrument panel of FIG. 1 showing the direction of secondary loading of the fuse maintenance panel during assembly;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the fuse maintenance panel and glove box frame, showing the initial loading orientation of the fuse maintenance panel during assembly;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the fuse maintenance panel and glove box frame, showing the direction of secondary loading of the fuse maintenance panel during assembly;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the fuse maintenance panel and glove box frame after the fuse maintenance panel is fully assembled to the glove box frame and secured to the glove box frame in the front-to-rear and side-to-side directions of the vehicle;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing engagement between the fuse maintenance panel and the glove box frame, the engagement fixing the fuse maintenance panel in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing the engagement between the fuse maintenance panel and the glove box frame, which secures the fuse maintenance panel in the side-to-side direction of the vehicle.

In the drawings, reference numbers may be repeated to indicate similar and/or identical elements.

Detailed Description

In order to reduce the costs and time associated with removing the interior trim panel from the vehicle, it may be desirable to fasten the interior trim panel to the body structure of the vehicle or to another interior trim panel without the use of mechanical fasteners. For example, an interference or snap fit may be used to secure the interior trim panel to the vehicle body structure. However, interference or snap fit is typically created when one component is mounted to another component in a single direction. Thus, the components can be detached from each other by simply applying a force to one component in a direction opposite to the mounting direction. Furthermore, the force required to disassemble the parts from each other is typically low.

The system according to the present disclosure secures one vehicle component to another vehicle component and positions one vehicle component relative to the other vehicle component without the use of mechanical fasteners. In the examples described below, one vehicle component is a maintenance panel for a fuse box of a vehicle, and the other vehicle component is a glove box frame. However, systems according to the present disclosure may be incorporated in other types of interior trim panels, such as body trim, overhead panels, consoles, and speaker covers. Furthermore, systems according to the present disclosure may be incorporated into vehicle components other than interior trim panels, such as engine compartment components.

In one example, the system includes a T-shaped tab protruding from the service panel and a locking tab protruding from the service panel. The system further includes a flange or panel of the glove box frame or a portion thereof defining the T-slot, and a pair of angled ribs disposed on opposite sides of the stem portion of the T-slot. The T-shaped projection on the service panel is inserted in a first direction through the intersection of the T-shaped slot in the glove box frame and then moved in a second direction into the stem portion of the T-shaped slot and up the angled rib. The T-shaped projection on the service panel is moved in a second direction until the locking projection on the service panel snaps into the T-shaped slot. At that point, the angled rib engages the underside surface of the T-shaped protrusion, thereby securing the maintenance panel in the first direction. Further, the longitudinal ends of the T-shaped slots engage the T-shaped protrusions and the locking protrusions to secure the maintenance panel in the second direction.

The system is integral with, or part of, the maintenance panel and glove box frame. Thus, the system eliminates the need to use mechanical fasteners to join the maintenance panel to the glove box frame, which results in cost savings. Furthermore, the maintenance panel may be removed without specialized tools, which improves maintainability of the maintenance panel and/or the fuse box covered by the maintenance panel. In addition, the system secures the maintenance panel in two directions (e.g., side-to-side and front-to-rear directions of the vehicle), which ensures that the maintenance panel does not shift during normal vehicle use. For example, if the maintenance panel is located near the knee airbag, the system ensures that the maintenance panel does not shift when the knee airbag deploys.

Referring now to fig. 1-5, an instrument panel 10 of a vehicle includes a maintenance panel 12 for a fuse box (not shown) of the vehicle, a glove box frame 14, and an end cap 16. The maintenance panel 12 is configured to be secured to the glove box frame 14 and positioned relative to the glove box frame 14 without the use of mechanical fasteners. The service panel 12 includes a main panel 18 and a flange or side panel 20 that protrudes from a rear side 22 of the main panel 18. Each side panel 20 has a mating surface 24 configured to mate against the glove box frame 14 and a non-mating surface 26 opposite the mating surface 24.

The service panel 12 further includes a T-shaped projection 28 projecting from the mating surface 24 of the side panel 20 and a locking projection 30 projecting from the mating surface 24 of the side panel 20. The T-shaped tab 28 and the locking tab 30 are integral with, or are part of, the side panel 20. In other words, the side panel 20 is formed as a single piece with the T-shaped projection 28 and the locking projection 30. In one example, the entire service panel 12, including the side panels 20 with the T-shaped tabs 28 and locking tabs 30, is formed (e.g., molded) as a single piece from plastic in a single operation.

Each T-shaped tab 28 on the side panel 20 includes a bar 32 and a cross bar 34 oriented perpendicular to the bar 32. The bar 32 engages a midpoint of the crossbar 34 along its length 36. Each locking tab 30 on the side panel 20 includes an inclined surface 38 and a planar surface 40.

The glove box frame 14 includes a main panel 42 and a tab or side panel 44 protruding from a rear side 46 of the main panel 42. Each side panel 44 has a mating surface 48 configured to mate against the mating surface 24 of the maintenance panel 12 and a non-mating surface 50 opposite the mating surface 48. The glove box frame 14 further includes angled ribs 52 protruding from the non-mating surface 50 of the side panels 44. The angled ribs 52 are integral with, or part of, the side panels 44. In other words, the side panels 44 are formed as a single body with the angled ribs 52. In one example, the entire glove box frame 14, including the side panels 44 and the angled ribs 52, is formed (e.g., molded) as a single piece from plastic or metal in a single operation.

Each side panel 44 defines a T-slot 54 extending through its mating surface 48 and non-mating surface 50. Each T-slot 54 has a forward end 56 and a rearward end 58. In addition, the T-slot 54 includes a stem portion 60 disposed adjacent the forward end 56 thereof and an intersection portion 62 disposed adjacent the rearward end 58 thereof. The intersection portion 62 of each T-slot 54 has a first width 64 (fig. 2) and the stem portion 60 of each T-slot 54 has a second width 66 (fig. 4) that is less than the first width 64.

On each side panel 44, angled ribs 52 are provided on opposite sides of a stem portion 60 of the T-slot 54 and extend from an intersection portion 62 of the T-slot 54 to the forward end 56 of the T-slot 54. The amount by which the angled ribs 52 on each side panel 44 protrude from its non-mating surface 50 is the height 68 (fig. 10) of the angled ribs 52. The height 68 of the angled rib 52 increases in the forward direction 70 (fig. 7) of the vehicle.

The end cap 16 includes a main panel 72, a bracket 74 protruding from the main panel 72, and a flexible clip 76 secured to the bracket 74 using, for example, an interference fit. In one example, the main panel 72 and the bracket 74 are formed together as a single piece from plastic, and the flexible clip 76 is formed separately from metal. The flexible clip 76 clips onto the bracket 74 and is configured to clip into a slot 78 in the side panel 20 of the maintenance panel 12.

Referring now to fig. 2-8, a method for fastening the maintenance panel 12 to the glove box frame 14 and positioning the maintenance panel 12 relative to the glove box frame 14 without the use of mechanical fasteners will now be described. First, the service panel 12 is positioned such that each of the T-shaped tabs 28 on the service panel 12 is inserted through the intersection portion 62 of a corresponding one of the T-shaped slots 54 in the glove box frame 14, as shown in fig. 3 and 4. Each T-shaped tab 28 is then inserted through the intersection 62 of the T-shaped slot 54 in the lateral (i.e., left or right) direction 80 of the vehicle, as shown in fig. 6. The lateral direction 80 is perpendicular to the mating surface 48 and the non-mating surface 50 of the glove box frame 14. The length 36 of the crossbar 34 on the T-shaped tab 28 is less than the first width 64 of the intersection portion 62 of the T-shaped slot 54 so that the T-shaped tab 28 can be inserted into the intersection portion 62 of the T-shaped slot 54.

The service panel 12 is then positioned such that each T-shaped tab 28 on the service panel 12 moves within the T-shaped slot 54 in a forward direction 70 from its intersection portion 62 to its stem portion 60, as shown in fig. 5 and 7. The forward direction 70 is parallel to the length of the T-slot 54 (i.e., the dimension of the T-slot 54 extends between its forward and rearward ends 56, 58). The length 36 of the crossbar 34 of the T-shaped protrusion 28 is greater than the second width 66 of the stem portion 60 of the T-shaped slot 54 such that when the T-shaped protrusion 28 moves into the stem portion 60 of the T-shaped slot 54, the crossbar 34 is captured in the T-shaped slot 54. As each T-shaped tab 28 moves in the forward direction 70 within the T-shaped slot 54, the locking tab 30 engages the mating surface 48 of the glove box panel 14. This engagement causes the portion of the maintenance panel 12 surrounding the locking tab 30 to flex away from the mating surface 48 of the glove box panel 14. Each T-shaped tab 28 moves upward in the forward direction 70 and along the angled rib 52 on the glove box panel 14 until the locking tab 30 aligns with the T-shaped slot 54. At this time, the bent portion of the maintenance panel 12 is released and the locking protrusion 30 is caught into the crossing portion 62 of the T-slot 54, as shown in fig. 2 and 8.

When the T-shaped tab 28 and locking tab 30 on the service panel 12 are positioned in the T-shaped slot 54 in the glove box frame 14, as shown in fig. 2 and 8, the forward end 56 of the T-shaped slot 54 engages the forward surface 82 on the T-shaped tab 28. Further, the rearward end 58 of the T-slot 54 engages the flat surface 40 on the locking tab 30. This engagement between the T-slot 54 and the T-tab 28 and between the T-slot 54 and the locking tab 30 secures the service panel 12 in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle (i.e., in the forward direction 70 of the vehicle and in the rearward direction of the vehicle opposite the forward direction 70).

In addition, when the T-shaped tab 28 and the locking tab 30 on the maintenance panel 12 are positioned in the T-shaped slot 54 in the glove box frame 14, the mating surface 48 of the glove box frame 14 engages the mating surface 24 of the maintenance panel 12. Further, the top surface 84 of the angled rib 52 on the glove box frame 14 engages the underside surface 86 of the T-shaped projection 28 on the maintenance panel 12. This engagement between the mating surfaces 24 and 48 and between the angled ribs 52 and the T-shaped protrusions 28 secures the service panel 12 in the side-to-side direction of the vehicle (i.e., in the side-to-side direction).

As discussed above, once the maintenance panel 12 is secured to the glove box frame 14 and positioned relative to the glove box frame 14, the end caps 16 are assembled onto the maintenance panel 12, as shown in fig. 1. The flex clips 76 are preassembled to the brackets 74 of the end caps 16 prior to assembly of the end caps 16 to the service panel 12. To assemble the end cap 16 to the service panel 12, the flexible clip 76 is inserted into the slot 78 in the side panel 20 of the service panel 12. The end cap 16 encloses the service panel 12 and fully locks the service panel 12 in place. Although the service panel 12 is fixedly secured to the glove box frame 14 prior to installation of the end cap 16, the end cap 16 serves as an additional measure to ensure that the service panel 12 does not shift during normal vehicle use. For example, referring briefly to fig. 3, a knee airbag may be positioned within the compartment 88 of the instrument panel 10 and the end cap 16 ensures that the maintenance panel 12 does not shift when the knee airbag deploys.

Referring now to fig. 9, the tightness of fit between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle can be adjusted by adjusting the positioning of the surfaces on the two components relative to each other. As discussed above, the service panel 12 is secured in the fore-aft direction by engagement between the forward end 56 of the T-slot 54 and the forward surface 82 on the T-tab 28 and between the rearward end 58 of the T-slot 54 and the flat surface 40 on the locking tab 30. Accordingly, the tightness of the fit between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14 in the front-rear direction can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the forward end 56 and the rearward end 58 of the T-slot 54. Further, the fit tightness in the front-rear direction between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14 can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the forward surface 82 on the T-shaped projection 28 and the flat surface 40 of the locking projection 30.

In the example shown, the distance between the forward end 56 and the rearward end 58 of the T-slot 54 is approximately equal to (e.g., within 1mm of) the distance between the forward surface 82 on the T-tab 28 and the flat surface 40 on the locking tab 30. Thus, when the T-shaped tab 28 and the locking tab 30 on the maintenance panel 12 are positioned in the T-shaped slot 54 in the glove box frame 14 as shown, there is a sliding fit in the front-to-back direction between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14. In some examples, the distance between the forward end 56 and the rearward end 58 of the T-slot 54 is slightly (e.g., 2 mm) less than the distance between the forward surface 82 on the T-tab 28 and the flat surface 40 on the locking tab 30. In these examples, there is an interference fit in the front-to-back direction between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14.

Referring now to fig. 10, the tightness of fit between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14 in the side-to-side direction of the vehicle can also be adjusted by adjusting the positioning of the surfaces on the two components relative to each other. As discussed above, the maintenance panel 12 is secured in the side-to-side direction by engagement between the mating surfaces 48 of the glove box frame 14 and the mating surfaces 24 of the maintenance panel 12, and between the top surfaces 84 of the angled ribs 52 on the glove box frame 14 and the underside surfaces 86 of the T-shaped protrusions 28 on the maintenance panel 12. Accordingly, the tightness of the fit between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14 in the side-to-side direction can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the mating surface 48 on the glove box frame 14 and the top surface 84 on the inclined rib 52. Further, the tightness of the fit between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14 in the side-to-side direction can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the mating surface 24 of the maintenance panel 12 and the underside surface 86 of the T-shaped projection 28 on the maintenance panel 12.

In the example shown, adjacent the forward end 56 of the T-slot 54, the distance between the mating surface 48 on the glove box frame 14 and the top surface 84 on the angled rib 52 is approximately equal to the distance between the mating surface 24 of the maintenance panel 12 and the underside surface 86 of the T-shaped protrusion 28 on the maintenance panel 12. Thus, when the T-shaped tab 28 and locking tab 30 on the maintenance panel 12 are positioned in the T-shaped slot 54 in the glove box frame 14 as shown, there is a snug fit between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14 in the side-to-side direction. In some examples, the distance between the mating surface 48 on the glove box frame 14 and the top surface 84 on the angled rib 52 is slightly less than the distance between the mating surface 24 of the maintenance panel 12 and the underside surface 86 of the T-shaped tab 28 on the maintenance panel 12. In these examples, there is an interference fit in the front-to-back direction between the maintenance panel 12 and the glove box frame 14.

The above description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon studying the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without altering the principles of the present disclosure. Additionally, while each embodiment has been described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with reference to any embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in and/or combined with the features of any other embodiment, even if that combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, but rather, an arrangement of one or more embodiments with respect to each other is still within the scope of the present disclosure.

Various terms are used including "connected," "joined," "coupled," "adjacent," "abutting," "atop," "above," "below," and "disposed" to describe spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.). Unless specifically stated as "directly," when a relationship between a first and second element is described in this disclosure above, the relationship may be either a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements or an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are present (spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. As used herein, at least one of the phrases A, B and C should be construed to mean logic (a or B or C) that uses a non-exclusive logical or, and should not be construed to mean "at least one of a, at least one of B, and at least one of C".

Claims

1. A system for securing and positioning one vehicle component relative to another vehicle component, comprising:

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mating surface of the second panel engages the mating surface of the first panel and the angled rib on the second panel engages the T-shaped tab on the first panel when the T-shaped tab and the locking tab on the first panel are positioned in the slot in the second panel, thereby securing the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component in the first direction.